Netgear Orbi RBR50

Pros

• Proven longevity with some users reporting over 7 years of stable use
• Capable of reaching WiFi 5 speeds between 400-600 Mbps in optimal conditions
• Works effectively when configured strictly as an Access Point (AP) rather than a primary router
• Availability of stable third-party firmware (Voxel) to extend the device's life

Cons

• Officially End of Life (EOL) with no further security or firmware updates from Netgear
• Reports of hardware 'bricking' where the unit becomes unresponsive and cannot be reset
• WiFi speeds often fall below gigabit expectations, typically ranging from 250-400 Mbps
• Software bugs including 'Anywhere Access' registration errors and intermittent connectivity drops

Caveats

• The hardware is considered 'ancient' by modern standards and may not be worth the effort to troubleshoot if it fails
• Security is a primary concern as official patches have ceased
• Some users report the device randomly caps speeds at 100 Mbps despite higher ISP tiers

Best for

• Users on a strict budget willing to buy used hardware
• Homeowners looking for a secondary Access Point
• Technical users comfortable installing third-party firmware like Voxel

Avoid if

• You require a gigabit-speed wireless connection
• You want active manufacturer support and security updates
• You prefer a modern WiFi 6 or 6E ecosystem